131mirafiori forum

Someone had to start this topic  ;D It seems it's always me that starts them though  :-\ Does this mean I look forward to 3mas more than anyone else?  8)

An impending office move (should be done by end of April so I truly hope it doesn't 'spill' into May  :-[ ) but also communication from some of us 'hard 3maers' in the UK and Ireland about booking ferries to the Continent, made me put up my 2012 year planner sooner than I would normally do. And of course the first thing marked on the year planner was? Yes, of course it was 3ma12 - marked in orange as usual!  ;D ;D ;D

I am just starting my 3ma-career, but after visiting 3ma in Cornwall I know now
what I missed the last years :o

I am looking forward to 3ma at least as much as you 8)

Heini  what did u miss exactly in the previous years that was in Cornwall .. im curious  of your thoughts
 ..

Jason, i mean what I missed the last years without visiting 3ma!

Sorry for my english, I only wanted to say that life is better with 3ma, at least once a year :D

Im trying to find a way to attend, my problem is i have to get on a flight back to Qatar from somewhere on Monday 14th!
Still No 131 im afraid, engines in bits!
I could use the Z3 or Harley from Spain.
Sport Ka from UK.
A nice offer from Albert to take one of his cars on the event.
What to do?
Steve

Steve, accept Albert's offer and try to get a flight to Qatar from Francfort (FRA). We'll be at 3MA2012 with two cars (at least that's the plan - the 131 and either the 166 or the S Class) and could offer a lift to Frankfurt Airport.

Ferry crossing booked  :D

(http://book.ferrysavers.co.uk/faresearch/images/waitscreen/anim03.gif)

Travelling on 8:00am ferry from Dover to Dunkerque so should be arriving at the hotel in Bad Bentheim around 5:00pm I think. Not sure which is the best route yet but the one below seems the most direct (although apparently not the quickest).

I'm booked on to the same ferry too  8) ;D

Not sure about the route round Antwerp in the early morning Theo. Perhaps that's why it's not the quickest. :-\

Autoroute suggests going via Duisburg (see below). It's 15 miles longer but supposedly 10 minutes quicker.

I'm also now booked on the same two sailings - For travellers from Ireland, it looks a simpler trip to travel through the UK for both the outward and inward trips.

We'll be staying at the Premier Inn Dover on the 7th where we met A & A last year. :)

Getting in the mood for this now - Funny how the year speeds around so quickly.

Anyone up for a detour to Guy Morenhout ....unless the 2012 organisers have already built that in to the tour?  :)

The sooner you get into Germany, the better. There are practically no speed limits ;D That's why it takes less time.
Antwerp traffic is worst in the morning between 6.30 am and 8.30 am. beware of  a time delay for about an hour if there's a combustion.after that, traffic is not so bad. If there are no accidents. But Antwerp is still  better than Brussels.  Stay away from Brussels!!
Beware of speed cameras in Belgium, there are a lot of them.

One of those die-hard myths.

Truth is: there is a fixed speed limit to 120 km/h or less on around 30% of the total Autobahn network and a flexible speed limit between 80 and 120 (depending on traffic conditions and/or time of day) on around 20%; construction zones are limited to 80 km/h, and there are many of them.

Second truth is: in today's traffic, high speed driving (160-200 km/h) will gain you a maximum of 30 minutes on a 400 km Autobahn trip (tested this often enough).

Third truth is: a 131 is no high speed vehicle.

Fourth truth is: German drivers prowling the Autobahn will by any means underrate a) any Fiat 131 and b) any foreigner driving fast (we are not only a country of 80 million national team football coaches, but also of 80 million Formula 1 pilots  ::)).

Looks all very interesting this. With Steve coming over from Qatar, I may try and get over myself if I can combine it with something else considering the distance involved  :). I'll make sure I get  Fiat Hire Car  ;) That in itself could be a challenge in that part of the world  ;D

Looking at the extracted map I am surprised that people from the South and Ireland are not going from Harwich to Europort. That would certainly reduce boring (and noisy in a 131 :o ;D) motorway travel.

What is the situation regarding security and mindless vandal damage when the cars are parked in Dover. The reason why I mention this, is that I was travelling to Mid France with the family a few years ago and planned to spend the night in Dover. A colleague that had worked in Dover on a contract for a number of months told me of his car crime experiences down there  :-\ :-\ and suggested that I travelled further into France. I didn't fancy leaving the car with a boot load of holiday stuff based on his advice. We booked a Hotel in France and spent ages  ??? ??? :'(trying to find the Novotel that was just off the motorway 80 miles north of Paris.  

Plans are coming along well . was it ferry savers again on DFDS ..?58

Steve,  you planned to come to 3MA?  The Super is waiting for you ;D
Kevin,a visit to Guy Moerenhout is not in the schedule from 3MA, but if you like I can organise something extra :D

Have just brought our ferry ticket too ;D ;D

Leave Harwich 9.00AM arrive Hook of Holland 4.45PM then a 240KM drive should get to the hotel in time to join you guys for a drink and dinner  8)

There are always plenty of passenger spaces in the 131s and plenty of 3maers willing to take passengers. So if you can't get to Bad Bentheim and 3ma12 with a 131 you should definitely consider getting there any way you can (car, train, plane, walk, swim, parachute etc) and enjoy 3ma12 as a passenger in a number of 131s.  :)

Yes Ja, the Ferrysavers deal with DFDS is the one we have gone for. ;) Keeps the price down - especially if booked this far in advance. ;D

To anyone thinking of coming to 3MA 'without a 131' I echo Theo comments. Generally there are cars with just a driver - this year looks like this is certainly the case for my Abarth and Theo's Sport - and usually the owner/driver is willing to accept passengers 8)

In Italy I had a passenger in Dawn Parrish whilst Theo had her husband Steve in his car - didn't want them following our 131 convoy in their BMW Z3 did we! ;) :D

So there's no excuse! Not having a 131 does NOT exclude you from joining our happy gang. 8)

Many Thanks for the Offers, it is all very appealing. I will see what I can combine it with.

Looks i'm in on this one. I'm going for it!  :)

Will have a word with the ol man tomm to see if he wants to go and then i'll be booking by weekend.

Any tips or suggestions welcome. Travelling from derby (Midlands)

Would be great Bobby!!

Nice one - The Green Hornet...? ;)

Green Sport or the Gold Series 3 Super.

I'm thinking of parting with my Green Sport soon. If she sells before 3ma12 then i've still got the Super to use.

The Green one is currently tax and tested and ready to do the run.

The Super needs a week or two's worth of work to be presentable and road worthy.

Great news Bobby (http://images.bravenet.com/common/images/smilies/25_coolguy.gif)

So what's happened to the Silver Sport that was at 3ma08?


I suppose from Derby you're better off taking the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry so if you book the 9:00 am Harwich ferry you'll be able to join Phil's convoy of one and make it two  ;D Of course you are most welcome to join the rest of us at the southern 8:00am Dover to Dunkerque crossing if your sea-legs are not that good and you'd prefer to minimise sea travel and maximise road driving. I decided many years ago (while stuck outside Zeebrugge port for hours on a driving trip to Holland) that I will always take the shortest sea crossing and don't mind driving the extra miles.  :D  And before you all start telling me that the Dover to Dunkerque crossing is longer than Dover to Calais, I'll say yes I know but that's a small difference and for us Greeks all rules have exceptions  ;D ;D

Nice pic Theo!

NAE has been in my garage since 2008.

The outer sills were getting a bit scabby and under bonnet was a bit messy so i decided to put her off road. A few mechanical issues too. After Hicky131 had sold her to the new owner, it was going to be finished off.... it basically had a few bits bodged up and these were showing.

It will be back but not in the near future...prob 2 years

I'm looking into the ferry crossing. Will post up when all confirmed.

It looked great at 3ma08 and as I remember it attracted a lot of admiring looks  :)

Have you contacted the hotel yet? They are no longer holding any rooms for us but I'm sure they'll still have availability. But sort out the accommodation before the ferry to be on the safe side.

I've got some nice pictures of NAE from the 2005 Birmingham Classic Car Show. I will post when I find. As I can recall there was also a white Abarth with various decals. Any idea who owned that car.

Hi Rob,

Pics would be great.

The White 131 Abarth was Mick Woods Original Gr4. It was the car of the show for me! Sounded lovely and drew in big crowds when we fired her up to be put on to the trailer.

Well done Bob .on your own or with company .. :)

Jason,

How are your plans coming along? Have you managed to buy your ferry ticket yet? Hope to see you
& Goldie at Bad Bentheim

phil...
   i expecting a ship to come in  ;) whether it come's in before may is an other
 thing  ;)  i live in hope  8)

Hi Jason,

Will be traveling with my dad- Jack

I booked the hotel today and am just waiting on confirmation.

Excellent news Bobby. 8)

Excellent news Bobby  ;) :D
If you have any problems communicating with the hotel, contact Heini (http://www.131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=2241) as he is this year's "3ma12 Hotel Liaison Officer"  ;D ;D

Yes of course, you can contact me day and night  ;) and I will do my very best!

Just want to let you know that i am on holiday from January, 21th to February, 06.02.2012. So I wont be online for 2 weeks 8)

While I am in Norway I will visit a forum member "lochraceness" and have a look at his 131 Panorama ;D

An idea we are working out for 3MA, combining food with sport. Will be an active day :D ;D ;)

http://tvtotal.prosieben.de/tvtotal/videos/player/index.html?contentId=97059&initialTab=related

Woo hoo! Got my confirmation today so all sorted for hotel. :)


It's gonna be the first time i'm driving abroad... should be fun especially in a Fiat 131!

Great Bobby!

Soooo...are we going to be guests on a TV talk show...? ;D

Kev, when you win the WK contest for sure ;D

Great news Bobby - Are you planning to stay in Dover on the night before?

A few of us are talking about meeting up for dinner that night... :)

Kev not sure yet.

'I HAD A DREAM'   last night about the forth coming 3ma ,strange but true .
   We were all queing up at the ferry terminal in our own lane  8) there must have been abbout six or so cars
 but there was loads off us every one had a car full of friends traveling with us ,even simon had 5 in the back of the Arby, an extra set off twin lads  :P .
 I had our polish office girl who had passport trouble and wouldn't be allowed back in the country .
   we were all so busy all chatting and taking photo's we missed our turn to load and only a few could get on, so we all waited for the next ferry  ;D ;D ;D
   Must be pinning to come with you all :D

Just do it Jason - Life is too short...!  :)

I'd second that!  ;)

hi all,
i wish i could taker part at this gathering :(. unfortunately, there is a visa regime to my country from EU, so its almost impossible for me to join u all :(
expecting pictures from u all

You can be sure of lots of of pictures!

Just booked the Premier Inn Dover for the night before departure. Online cost now only ?46.00 for a double....down from ?53.00 a few weeks ago.   :)

Less than 3 months to go  :D Seems like a long time but it'll be here before you know it  ;D

Just put the car through the MOT passed first go ;D
Phoned the insurance Europe is included in the policy at no extra charge ;D
They even included free breakdown recovery in Europe :-\

Is that RH Specialist Car Division (http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/) by any chance?  ;)

Yes the car is insured with RH specialist.

I have found them to be very resonable with the cost and very helpful on the phone. I have never had to make a claim though and in reality that is the ultimate test. ???

 He's only about 12 miles from the the southern by pass round Antwep off the n10 out side leir
 could be a lunch stop .... on the way as your passsing  so close then we can all make our own minds up    ;D
http://www.131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=1583.15 (http://www.131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=1583.15)

Finally decided on the route and went for Dover. The 6hr 45mins on the ferry from Harwich seems to long and i'd rather do the extra miles.

Premier inn booked too.

The Clocks ticking fast......must get the 131 jobs done.


 

Albert,
I'm not going to make it to 3MA12, far too much happening, a real shame for me and Dawn.
Thank you very much for the offer of the car and have a good 3MA12.
Regards to Ella,
Steve & Dawn

Thanks for replying Steve, no problem. Hope to see you next year(or sooner in Spain) .

Greetings for Dawn from me and Ela :)

All

Like Steve, I mentioned previously that I would like to come as a passenger. However due to the current and proposed workload this is looking highly unlikely. Things are always very busy in the Gulf leading up to the summer break.

I will be keeping a close eye on events that are being organised in the summer (UK or Ireland) and would love to come along.

The 131 passed the MOT test this morning so one step closer to being ready for 3ma12  ;) :D

Less than two months to go now ....  :D

Hi everybody
we need missed this year 3ma-meeting we are sorry :'( !
just now does not have a car to arrive 3ma-meeting ( not two times at same car  ;) in addition to a lot of work now so if prevents from going to 3ma (and little pit money problem)
but we promise that next year we'll be there taking place !!!

Tanja Janne and Valentino from Finland

Hello Janne,

nice to hear you 3 are doing fine  :)

It is too bad that you can`t take part but there will be plenty of pictures I think  ;)

How about a new picture of Valentino - the youngest ever 3MA attendee.....now that he is a year older?

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/3MA11-Kingsteignton112.jpg)

Sorry that you can't make this event Janne & Tanja - especially as it is so much closer to you than Devon was. Next year hopefully!!  :)

Off with the old and on with the new....